Standoff delivered sonobuoy

Abstract

A standoff delivery system is responsive to GPS coordinate signals and inight GPS signals to deliver and emplace a sonobuoy at a remote location that otherwise would be hazardous for full size aircraft conventionally deploying the sonobuoy. A flying platform, such as a drone or gliding guided wing, carries the sonobuoy to a remote location. A GPS receiver on the platform enters GPS coordinate signals representative of the remote location and receives GPS signals representative of the location of the platform. A control signal generator produces control signals in response to both of the GPS signals and feeds control signals to servos that displace control surfaces to pilot the platform. The sonobuoy is released from the platform in response to GPS signals that are representative of at least the proximity of the remote location. This system provides for clandestine deployment and activation of the sonobuoy.

We claim: 
     
       1. A standoff delivery system for remotely deploying a sensor to a remote location without exposing personnel to risk at said remote location comprising: a sensor;   a small unmanned aircraft having rigid wings for flying said sensor to said remote location;   means mounted on said rigid winged unmanned aircraft for entering GPS coordinate signals representative of said remote location and for receiving GPS signals representative of the location of said rigid winged unmanned aircraft, said entering and receiving means includes a GPS antenna and receiver;   means connected to said antenna and receiver for generating control signals in response to both of the GPS signals;   means coupled to said generating means for piloting said rigid winded unmanned aircraft to said remote location in response to said control signals; and   means mounted on said rigid winged unmanned aircraft for releasing said sensor from said rigid winged unmanned aircraft in response to GPS signals representative of at least an acceptable proximity of said remote location.   
     
     
       2. A system according to claim 1 further in which said sensor includes a sonobuoy selected from the group consisting of passive sonobuoys and active sonobuoys. 
     
     
       3. A system according to claim 2 in which said sonobuoy includes a parachute deployed as said sonobuoy is released from said rigid winged unmanned aircraft by said releasing means. 
     
     
       4. A system according to claim 3 in which said piloting means includes servo controls joined to displace control surfaces in accordance with said control signals to pilot said rigid winged unmanned aircraft. 
     
     
       5. A system according to claim 4 further including: an RF antenna and receiver to receive remotely originating RF control signals and to couple said RF control signals to said servo controls, said servo controls being responsive to displace said control surfaces in accordance with said RF control signals.   
     
     
       6. A system according to claim 5 in which said rigid winged unmanned aircraft includes small aircraft selected from the group consisting of drones having rigid fixed wings and guided wings having rigid wings pivoted to laterally extend therefrom. 
     
     
       7. A method of remotely deploying a sensor to a remote location without exposing personnel to risk at said remote location comprising the steps of: mounting a sensor including a sonobuoy on a rigid winged unmanned aircraft;   flying said sensor to said remote location on said rigid winged unmanned aircraft;   generating control signals in response to entered GPS coordinate signals representative of said remote location and impinging GPS signals representative of the location of said rigid winged unmanned aircraft;   steering said rigid winged unmanned aircraft to said remote location in response to said control signals; and   releasing said sensor from said rigid winged unmanned aircraft in response to GPS signals representative of at least an acceptable proximity of said remote location.   
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 7 in which said step of generating comprises the step of: receiving GPS signals on an antenna and receiver on said rigid winged unmanned aircraft, said received GPS signals being representative of its location.   
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8 in which said step of releasing comprises the step of: deploying a parachute from said sonobuoy at said acceptable proximity of said remote location.   
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9 in which said step of steering includes the step of: providing servo controls joined to displace control surfaces in accordance with said control signals to steer said flying platform.   
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 10 further comprising the step of: providing an RF antenna and receiver to receive remotely originating RF control signals and to couple said RF control signals to said servo controls, said servo controls being responsive to displace said control surfaces in accordance with said RF control signals.   
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 11 in which said rigid winged unmanned aircraft includes small aircraft selected from the group consisting of drones having rigid fixed wings and guided wings having rigid wings pivoted to extend therefrom. 
     
     
       13. A method of deploying a sonobuoy to a remote location without exposing personnel to risk at said remote location comprising the steps of: providing a sonobuoy;   mounting said sonobuoy on a drone at a launch point, said drone having rigid fixed wings;   entering GPS coordinate signals in said drone representative of said remote location;   receiving GPS signals in a GPS receiver in said drone representative of the location of said drone during transit to said remote location;   generating control signals in said drone in response to said GPS coordinate signals and said GPS signals;   piloting said drone to said remote location in response to said control signals;   dropping said sonobuoy attached to a parachute from said drone in response to GPS signals representative of at least an acceptable proximity of said remote location; and   returning said drone to said launch point.   
     
     
       14. A method of deploying a sonobuoy to a remote location without exposing personnel to risk at said remote location comprising the steps of: mounting a sonobuoy on a guided wing having rigid wings pivoted to laterally extend therefrom;   entering GPS coordinate signals in said guided wing representative of said remote location;   carrying said guided wing and sonobuoy aloft on a conventional aircraft;   releasing said guided wing from said conventional aircraft while aloft;   receiving GPS signals in a GPS receiver in said guided wing representative of the location of said guided wing as it glides toward said remote location;   generating control signals in said guided wing in response to said GPS coordinate signals and said GPS signals;   piloting said guided wing to said remote location in response to said control signals; and   dropping said sonobuoy attached to a parachute from said guided wing in response to GPS signals representative of at least an acceptable proximity of said remote location.   
     
     
       15. A method of deploying a sonobuoy to a remote location without exposing personnel to risk at said remote location comprising the steps of: mounting a sonobuoy on a guided wing having rigid wings pivoted to laterally extend therefrom;   entering GPS coordinate signals in said guided wing representative of said remote location;   carrying said guided wing and sonobuoy aloft on a rocket;   releasing said guided wing from said rocket while aloft;   receiving GPS signals in a GPS receiver in said guided wing representative of the location of said guided wing as it glides toward said remote location;   generating control signals in said guided wing in response to said GPS coordinate signals and said GPS signals;   piloting said guided wing to said remote location in response to said control signals; and   dropping said sonobuoy attached to a parachute from said guided wing in response to GPS signals representative of at least an acceptable proximity of said remote location.